World Cup 2023 | Shubman Gill Ruled Out; Here's India's Playing XI Vs Australia

image-lneesqj5Shubman Gill has been ruled out of Australia clash [AP]

India have suffered a major blow leading into their ICC World Cup 2023 opening game against arch-rivals Australia in Chennai on Sunday (October 8). The tournament hosts are set to enter the marquee encounter without their preferred top-order batter Shubman Gill after the youngster was reportedly found positive for dengue. 

While an official confirmation is awaited, reports are that the in-form childhood prodigy is dealing with sickness and could be given time to rest and recuperate from the physical drain caused by the health issue. 

Gill's absence would be disappointing for the Indian team management led by coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma, who would've hoped to field their best combination for the high-voltage fixture in Chepauk. The think-tank will now be forced to tweak their plans and overall playing XI for the Aussie clash. 


Shubman Gill's Absence A Major Setback for India

Gill's absence is a huge setback for Team India considering the tremendous form that the prodigiously talented right-hander has been in. Enjoying an incredible rise as an all-format player for India, Gill has shined the brightest at the international level in the 50-over version of the game.  

Ever since being given a full-fledged run at the top of the order, Gill has not only elevated his stature as a player but also cemented his spot in the Indian team. His rise made it easier for the selectors to drop an ageing and struggling veteran Shikhar Dhawan last December after the series in Bangladesh.

Gill is the highest run-getter in One-Day Internationals since the start of 2022 with a whopping 1,868 runs in 32 innings. The 24-year-old's tally includes six centuries, featuring an epic maiden double hundred in Hyderabad earlier this year versus New Zealand. 


Opportunity for Kishan; Ashwin to pip Thakur in India's Probable XI 

The ouster of Gill means a great opportunity for young Ishan Kishan to move up to his preferred opening slot after plying his trade in the middle-order during the Asia Cup and the recent home series against Australia.

Kishan is India's understated flexible card in the squad, someone who not only plays the backup wicketkeeper-batter but also a top and middle option in the batting unit. The Jharkhand lad played a brilliant knock of 82 at No.5 in Pallekele against Pakistan in the Asia Cup; however, his best has been reserved at the opening spot. 

He boasts of a significantly more impressive record at the top of the order, averaging an eye-catching 74.66 with a strike rate of 125.13, including his maiden double hundred late last year versus Bangladesh. 

Given the surface in Chennai, India are likely to pick premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of a third seamer Shardul Thakur in a three-pronged spin attack, also featuring lead wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav and spin allrounder Ravindra Jadeja. 


India's Probable XI for Australia game

Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah